“The ultimate call of the Muses in contemporary life is to live a creative and authentic life.”
Angeles Arrien

‘Tis the Season to Thank Your Muse

Posted on November 22, 2017

My theory is you shouldn’t apologize for believing in an idea-channeling muse. You should just be sure to feed her.
~ Laurie Seidler~

Whenever I teach dream work to writers or others, I remind them to practice gratefulness for their dreams and dream messengers by taking some kind of immediate action to honor the dream. Expressing gratitude, honoring the dream ensures that the dreams and dream messengers will gift you again.

In this holiday season of gratitude for food and shelter,family and friends, perhaps it is time to thank your Muse.

You’ve read the articles and book chapters on seducing your Muse, showing up for your Muse, playing with your Muse, even working without your Muse—all of which are important.But do you thank your Muse?

What about after you’ve spent time together working on that next scene or painting? What about after an awesome session together that just had those creative juices flowing?

Do you rush off to celebrate with your creative buddies, toasting your imaginative mind, and patting yourself on the back for your hard work?

Do you leave your Muse waiting for a cuddle after that ecstatic moment, only for her to slowly discover she’s been left alone?

Sure, it’s bad form to not show up for a date with your Muse.

But, it’s even worse form to desert her after she’s gifted you with that fire-in-the-belly idea. Wouldn’t you feel devalued and disrespected if someone did that to you?

So, in this season of gratefulness and thanksgiving, maybe it’s time to give her a little love, to thank your Muse.

At the end of a period of working on your project, before you rush off to celebrate or cook dinner, offer up a small paean to her, in the manner of the Greeks. Thank her for her beautiful (if demanding) presence and her gift(s). You could even offer up a graciously-phrased request for her return, same time, same place.

Or, create an altar for her, a special place in your work area with an image of her, and some flowers and a candle. Maybe you print out that day’s writing and place it there to acknowledge her contribution.

Or, let love and gratefulness flow genuinely and fully from your heart to your work and your Muse.

It is that season, after all.

And your Muse, like everyone else, loves some appreciation.

If you celebrate Thanksgiving this week—and even if you don’t—remember to thank your Muse along with the other people and things in your life you are grateful for.